BaL 24.09.16 - Chopin: Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Saying this was better than other twofers, is rather like the comment of the new headteacher I was working under in the early 90s. When the discipline rapidly deteriorated, teachers and parents complained.

His reply: "It's a lot better than in my last school."

I find the "better" twofers rather like describing a "better" experience at the dentist: at the very best, it's only "better than I'd been expecting"!

[pastoralguy]

I suspect Andrew doesn't have much say in the format of these 'live and 'in public'' BALs, being merely told 'this is how it's going to be. I agree that this is 'best' one we've had so far.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I suspect Andrew doesn't have much say in the format of these 'live and 'in public'' BALs, being merely told 'this is how it's going to be.

I think that you're right here, and, although I have reservations about AMcG and don't see the point of a three-hour programme in which he - or anyone - spends the time telling listeners how wonderful everything is, I accept the general view that he is a fine broadcaster.

[Thropplenoggin]

I think that you're right here, and, although I have reservations about AMcG and don't see the point of a three-hour programme in which he - or anyone - spends the time telling listeners how wonderful everything is, I accept the general view that he is a fine broadcaster.

A fine broadcaster who talks all over his guests?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A fine broadcaster who talks all over his guests?

I was trying to be polite!

[pastoralguy]

I think that you're right here, and, although I have reservations about AMcG and don't see the point of a three-hour programme in which he - or anyone - spends the time telling listeners how wonderful everything is, I accept the general view that he is a fine broadcaster.

I'm a bit perplexed by this since I know he receives lots of discs every week and, acting as a kind of musical sieve, plays only the best of what's on offer. I mean, he's not going to play a disc he doesn't think has merit simply to criticise it, is he? He will draw attention to what he feels are a discs minor reservations but will often say '... but see what YOU think'.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'm a bit perplexed by this since I know he receives lots of discs every week and, acting as a kind of musical sieve, plays only the best of what's on offer. I mean, he's not going to play a disc he doesn't think has merit simply to criticise it, is he? He will draw attention to what he feels are a discs minor reservations but will often say '... but see what YOU think'.

I can see that that might be the case with those discs he does select and present himself; but when the "enthusiasm" spills over into discs that other contributors to RR - often (as Thropps points out) interrupting the flow of what they're saying - then the point of the programme (at least what used to be and I thought still was the point: to present the most interesting new recorded releases) gets lost and it becomes the "Andrew McGregor Show".

Further - isn't the integrity of the programme compromised if it's only a sequence of "Andy's Picks"; what about all those recordings he doesn't like - might some excellent recordings of excellent Music get lost down the back of his settee if it's just his personal choice? I might be wrong, but I don't think that previous presenters (including Richard Osborne) had such individual carte blanche.

[Alison]

Now we have heard SM-P's critical faculties it will grate even more when she gushes at every live performance she presents.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Now we have heard SM-P's critical faculties it will grate even more when she gushes at every live performance she presents.

"Now"? We have heard these excellent faculties regularly on Hear & Now, and on the much-missed Discovering Music on which she presented a quite superb "double-issue" on the Brandenburgs.

Her television presentation of the CBSO/Gražinytė-Tyla concert (and the interval interview with the conductor) was also a model of how to do it - so "every" isn't really accurate, either.

[Alison]

Quite so Ferney. I remember a review of new contemporary releases on Record Review in January where she readily outpointed DON at every turn. 'Now we have had a further reminder of' would have been better.

For all that I still find her a disappointing presenter of concerts, with constant repetition of the word 'live' and unwanted reminders of which station we are listening to.

[Alison]

I thought this work called for the forensic approach of a proper pianist - a David Owen Norris, or a Kenneth Hamilton (I always like to learn something from BAL, not just listen to opinions).....but, whoever, we would have got through a lot more without AMcG, I really don't like these 2-hander BALs.

Not so sure, Richard.

eg DON would have taken a mischievous delight in 'playing' Barenboim's missed notes.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Quite so Ferney. I remember a review of new contemporary releases on Record Review in January where she readily outpointed DON at every turn. 'Now we have had a further reminder of' would have been better.

Oh yes - that was good, wasn't it! Made me so much more appreciative of DON.

For all that I still find her a disappointing presenter of concerts, with constant repetition of the word 'live' and unwanted reminders of which station we are listening to.

Part of the remit, alas, these days: it's like those irritating BBC4 logos in the corner of the television screen I certainly found her one of the best of this year's Proms presenters - excellent in its own terms, even by the past standards of R3 presentation, and a model of calm after the Service charge! (I can see why he might be in a hurry to get home, but even so ... ) I didn't hear the Verdi Requiem for which her presentation received criticism on the Forum.

[pastoralguy]

I can see that that might be the case with those discs he does select and present himself; but when the "enthusiasm" spills over into discs that other contributors to RR - often (as Thropps points out) interrupting the flow of what they're saying - then the point of the programme (at least what used to be and I thought still was the point: to present the most interesting new recorded releases) gets lost and it becomes the "Andrew McGregor Show".

Further - isn't the integrity of the programme compromised if it's only a sequence of "Andy's Picks"; what about all those recordings he doesn't like - might some excellent recordings of excellent Music get lost down the back of his settee if it's just his personal choice? I might be wrong, but I don't think that previous presenters (including Richard Osborne) had such individual carte blanche.

Presumably, there's some sort of editorial policy whereby all areas of the repertoire are covered. There's plenty of music presented on the show that I don't care for so its not as if he's just presenting his 'picks'. After all, he can't play EVERY new release or the show would never end and there are plenty of other sources where can learn and evaluate new recordings before purchase.

Furthermore, there's a constant stream of guests who are given ample opportunity to display thier preferences and knowledge. I certainly don't feel he interrupts guests. He simply encourages them along a bit.

[BBMmk2]

I didn't hear all of this BaL, but I rather thoroughly enjoyed the way SM-P advocates her critical attributes. Very worthwhile listen, especially to hear again.

[Richard Tarleton]

Not so sure, Richard.

eg DON would have taken a mischievous delight in 'playing' Barenboim's missed notes.

Agreed, he would probably have come up with a completely off-the-wall final recommenndation! I just enjoy his dissections, mischievous though they may be at times.